thinking about a new ( for me) bike.....

[john zigler]

currently have a specialized rock hopper, A-1 Comp, aluminum hard tail frame, i built from scratch back in the early 90's. it has bulls eye sealed BMX hubs, laced into ceramic coated trek wheels, shimano STX components, gold rock shox front fork, etc. back in "the day" it was really a great bike.

i used to ride pretty hard, then later on it has been more of the family bike ride stuff, ( on pavement).

lately, i have been riding a lot again, in the woods, and am really loving it. i really like tight, technical woods, with hills, etc.

i am thinking it may be time to get a new bike.

my brother has a TREK, super light Y300 he wants to sell. it is a 2000 ( year) he wants 1000.00 for it. it is a Y-shaped carbon frame, full suspension, with alum rear section, & hydrolic disc brakes. it also has a lever on the bars, to change the rear shock setting, while you are on the go. ( really cool)

i took it out today, and have to say was kinda disapointed....

not that it was bad, it just did not give me the feeling like "OMG this is the greatest bike ever."

it DID stop nice. also seemed to shift, and handle nice.

the over all fit and feel where OK.

things i did NOT like...

the frame seems to "flex". i do not know about these "Y" frames, but it sure seems like it can flex a lot in the bottom bracket area. again, i am coming off of a hard tail.

water bottle mount is on the BOTTOM of the down tube. to me this is really stupid. i was in the mud today, and my bottle was a mess. not to mention you really cannot hardly get it while riding.


i have been out of the bike loop for so long, i don't know if i am nit picking, or could i spend my money and get something better.

my bother also works at a bike shop and can get me a pretty good discount on new stuff. i was looking at a FUJI. how are they considered? at first, i was thinking i wanted a 29er, but i am now wondering if i shouldn't stay with a 26, as the type of riding i like to do.

thanks.

zig

 

[SuperJETT]

Get a 29", they are better for most riding.

$1000 for that 12 year old carbon bike is way too much. It was groundbreaking in it's time but today it's old tech.

For under $1000, it's hard to be some of Bikesdirect's deals. My wife has the Fantom29 and it's been great. The new Gravity 29" bikes are their main 29" models now.

Then again, my buddy just picked up a 2010 Fisher Hifi Plus 29" full suspension with 67 miles on it for $1100, about half price of new. It's in perfect condition and rides awesome, made me jealous big time.

 

[chadman154]

I heard great this about 29ers, i wanted to upgrade my gary fisher last year.

 

[scottie mac]

I have two nice trek 26ers in the garage. Neither has been used other than letting my nephews ride them at the beach since I got my 29er. I didn't know if it was for me, but once I rode one, I ordered mine the next day.

If you don't mind a hard tail, the new Rockhopper 29er Comp is well equipped for $1100.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62111&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

A better bike is the all new Carve, it is a 29er specific set up. The mid grade Carve has better shocks for $1600. If your brother is a Specialized dealer, maybe check this one out:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62241&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

Also, if you search '29er' on ebay, there are a lot of dealers out there trying to dump 2011 models. And, as Jett mentioned, if you are willing to buy used, there are great deals to be found online.

SM

 

[john zigler]

thanks for the idea's.

i have been searching bikes direct now.....

i have also been scanning craigslist.

found a nice 09 specialized stump jumper FSR comp for 900.00 ( 26in)
a nice, 2011 FELT Q720 hard tail, 26in for 700.00

my brothers shop sells SE ( BMX) FUJI, TREK, GIANT, and i am sure others. i need to probably go see him too, before i commit to anything.


i am now again thinking a 29er. i wish i could have one for a weekend, just to try. i am kinda still afraid that it is going to be too large feeling in the tight woods. i do not want anything that is slow feeling ( handling wise). where i ride there are many sections that you can barely fit your bars through, down hills with very tight switch backs, etc. i get board out in the open.

zig

 

[john zigler]

I have two nice trek 26ers in the garage. Neither has been used other than letting my nephews ride them at the beach since I got my 29er. I didn't know if it was for me, but once I rode one, I ordered mine the next day.

If you don't mind a hard tail, the new Rockhopper 29er Comp is well equipped for $1100.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62111&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

A better bike is the all new Carve, it is a 29er specific set up. The mid grade Carve has better shocks for $1600. If your brother is a Specialized dealer, maybe check this one out:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62241&scid=1100&scname=Mountain

Also, if you search '29er' on ebay, there are a lot of dealers out there trying to dump 2011 models. And, as Jett mentioned, if you are willing to buy used, there are great deals to be found online.

SM

thansk scottie!

there is a specialized dealer near me. i do really like the looks of the Carve. i may have to go check that out. ( not to mention my current bike, and wifes bike is specialized, and it would be good to keep that going). i wonder if the local shop will match / or beat internet prices.

 

[SuperJETT]

Cherokee Park here is considered tight singletrack and 29" bikes have no problems at all there. They carry their speed over the rough sections better too. We are building a new climbing rock switchback currently with a 9' diameter and the main trail builders ride 29" bikes, so if they didn't think they could make it, it wouldn't be designed that way.

 

[Big Kahuna]

thanks for the idea's.

i have been searching bikes direct now.....

i have also been scanning craigslist.

found a nice 09 specialized stump jumper FSR comp for 900.00 ( 26in)
a nice, 2011 FELT Q720 hard tail, 26in for 700.00

my brothers shop sells SE ( BMX) FUJI, TREK, GIANT, and i am sure others. i need to probably go see him too, before i commit to anything.


i am now again thinking a 29er. i wish i could have one for a weekend, just to try. i am kinda still afraid that it is going to be too large feeling in the tight woods. i do not want anything that is slow feeling ( handling wise). where i ride there are many sections that you can barely fit your bars through, down hills with very tight switch backs, etc. i get board out in the open.

zig

Years ago, most 29ers did not handle tight woods well. That is changed. heck, I felt the same. I love my 29er now. If your brother works at a shop he should be able to get you a really good deal on a Trek (Gary Fisher Collection) X-Calibler. Great bike with good parts specs. Or look around for something that is 2 years old or less used.

 

[Big Kahuna]

oh, that Trek "Y" bike was very outdated in the late 90's. Not sure what year they stopped making them. They came out with the Fuels around 99-2000. Trek had the option of choosing the design that came to be known as the Gary Fisher "Sugar".. They chose to pass it off to Trek. Colossal mistake on their part. It took them until 2008 to really bring a really good Full Suspension to market!!!!!!!!! Just giving you some Trek History. The Y Bikes were ok, never really that great.

 

[McDog]

That is a good deal on the stumpjumper fsr. I still prefer the feel of mine over a 29er.

 

[sjetrider]

I have the Specialized Stumpjumper, the old style GOOD ONES IMO. Find em on CL for 5-600$ sometimes.

 

[Big Kahuna]

thanks for the idea's.

i have been searching bikes direct now.....

i have also been scanning craigslist.

found a nice 09 specialized stump jumper FSR comp for 900.00 ( 26in)
a nice, 2011 FELT Q720 hard tail, 26in for 700.00

my brothers shop sells SE ( BMX) FUJI, TREK, GIANT, and i am sure others. i need to probably go see him too, before i commit to anything.


i am now again thinking a 29er. i wish i could have one for a weekend, just to try. i am kinda still afraid that it is going to be too large feeling in the tight woods. i do not want anything that is slow feeling ( handling wise). where i ride there are many sections that you can barely fit your bars through, down hills with very tight switch backs, etc. i get board out in the open.

zig

That Comp is a great bike. Friend has a Comp and and Expert.

 

[SXIPro]

If you like Fujis, I am pretty sure the bikesdirect stuff comes off the same assembly line.
(or at least the frame does)
I have a cyclocross bike I got off bikes direct and am having a blast with it. Good value too.

 

[SuperJETT]

If you like Fujis, I am pretty sure the bikesdirect stuff comes off the same assembly line.
(or at least the frame does)
I have a cyclocross bike I got off bikes direct and am having a blast with it. Good value too.

Yep. I have the Fantom CX which is the same frame as a Fuji from pre-2011. I have it setup as a road bike with (insert irony tag) a Fuji carbon fork.

 

[john zigler]

this is tough. i want to make sure to make the right decision.

my bothers shop deals in FUJI, GIANT, Trek, & Felt.

he says, best bang for the buck is a Giant. he says a lot of guys in the shop, and customers rave about the XTC 29er.

the used, specialized stump jumper was a XL frame, and i am afraid just too big for me. i am 6ft tall, with a 32in inseam. too bad, because this guy would take 900.00, and i think that was a great deal.

there are great deals to be had, at bikes direct, but i am struggling on buying a bike, w/o a test ride first....

i will keep you posted....

thank you for all your comments, opinions, etc.

 

[SXIPro]

Yep. I have the Fantom CX which is the same frame as a Fuji from pre-2011. I have it setup as a road bike with (insert irony tag) a Fuji carbon fork.

My son keeps telling me to go carbon for the fork. The ride is a little jarring right now, and I'm not a youngster so I feel it. Did you see a big benefit stepping up to CF? Thanks

 

[SuperJETT]

I had a steel fork before the carbon, so it really didn't change the ride much but took a pound off the bike and is more streamlined. I know how jarring the aluminum fork was on my old frame, so if that's what you have, then carbon is a huge improvement.

John, as long as you go with a common/popular bike I think you'll be happy. I have a friend on the XTC 29 and he loves it, though I haven't ridden it. My wife has the Fantom 29 and I've ridden it as well as several friends and it's a good design for a 29" hardtail, you just have to decide which component level you want to buy. My buddy's Fisher (Trek) Hifi Plus is a great bike also.

I'm sure people with more experience may be able to tell a difference in geometries, but I've never noticed it unless it was a 90's era bike. Even my first bike which was a '99 or '00 Fisher felt great on trails.

Don't worry much about resale value either, bikes drop like a rock like everything else.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Felt's are good also, not as well known but they make some great bikes.

 

[scottie mac]

I love Specialized, but Trek makes a really nice bike, and if your brother works at a bike shop and can get you deals, for a little over a grand, you can get a really nice 29 hardtail that should last you for years. Most of the major players make good frames, so check out the components closely. The difference between an OK shock and a great one is pretty striking. But, so is the price, lol.

As for the 29 vs 26 debate....... I was VERY leary of getting a 29er, in fact, I had to be talked into it. It does take a little getting used to, because you 'feel' like you are very high on a 29er. But, once you do, especially if you do a lot of climbing, you will LOVE a 29er. It really is hard to believe they climb and go over obstacles that much better with just a few inches difference. Nothing against 26s, I have 2 myself, but 29ers are the way the industry is going. Check out how many 26ers are on ebay that are only a year old.

Also, check with local bike shops, a lot of them will rent out bikes for weekends. One of the shops near me will charge you 100 bucks for the weekend, but if you buy a bike from them within 30 days after, the put that 100 towards the price of the bike. If you are going to spend 1000 bucks, not a bad idea.

Scottie

 

[john zigler]

Felt's are good also, not as well known but they make some great bikes.

from what i understand, FELT are some guys that are really from "GT" when they sold out, to pacific ( or whoever is mass-making them now.)



thanks for the advice Scottie. i was out in the woods yesterday again, on my old rock hopper. i really do like this bike. ( i closed the shop early, and went to the woods lol). it was 50 degrees here in WI. we are supposed to get some snow tomorrow ( have yet to have any here), so it may be a little while until i can get back out again.

i have a buddy of mine that was racing mountain bikes for years, and he says in my price range, i should stick with the gary fisher series, as they have excellent frame geometry. so, i am now really thinking hard about the Super Fly-AL.

i asked my brother to get me some prices.......

so we'll see.

zig